Venturi-vacuum fuel-control system



1,628,529 May 1927' M. c. BRIGHT VENTURI VACUUM FUEL CONTROL SYSTEMFiled Oct. 16. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J6 1V 37 INVENTOR:

A TTORNEY.

1 May 7 M. c. BRIGHT VENTURI VACUUM FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM Filed 001;. 16.1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w H w 4 6 J s \r L lmi lllnl'u, umuwwmf m mm vwmvmy m v w A" =/////////Awmm ..i l fl a mu l Patented May 10, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES.

MARTIN C. BRIGHT, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR T BERNARD B.CARLIN,

' OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VENTUBI-VAGUUM FUEL-CCNTROL SYSTEM.

Application filed October 16, 1922. Serial No. 594,895.

. This invention relates to the supplying of explosion or internalcombustion engines with fuel by a vacuum-feed system, espe cially aVenturi-vacuum fuel-control 'system, and has reference more particularlyto a vacuum-feed system in which the wellknown .type of separate vacuumtank is eliminated, the invention relating also to the type offuel-control system'which has single primary control by which not onlythe volume but the quality or character of the fuel is regulated; andthe invention relates further to improvement in the type of fuel controlsystem disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States granted April19, 1921, No. 1,37 4,983, and to improvement in the type ofVenturi-vacuum fuel control system forming the subject of iny pendingapplication forLetters Patent of the United States filed April 25,1921,. Serial No. 464,246, especially'wit-h reference to one of themodified forms of variable action venturi referred to in saidapplication for Letters Patent, an example of such modified venturibeingthereiu disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compactfuel control system for explosion engines, and means whereby to drawliquid fuel by vacuum from a reservoir under varying conditions ofoperation, and which shall be automatic and reliable in controlling thesupply of fuel in accordance with the requirements of the engine.

Another object is to provide an improved feed reservoir for a carburetorin a fuel control system which shall be so constructed as to perform thefunction of a vacuum tank in a vacuum feed system. and which shall beconstructed of few and simple parts not liable to become deranged or tocause trouble in operation.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby to supplvacarbureter directly and promptly with liquid fuel in a vacuum-feedsystem for explosion engines, and which shall be adapted to operatepromptly in supplying fuel in response to engine suction.

A still further object is to provide an improved variable action venturiin a Venturi-vacuum fuel-control system which shall be capable of widerange of adjustment, and which espeeiallv shall be automaticallyadjustable, and which shall be so constructed tube, and which shallbecapable of controlling the .volume and quality of air and hydro-carbonmixture, and be economical in use.

WVith the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in a unitary fuel-control system and apparatus including acombined feed-reservoir and vacuum chamber into which liquid fuel isdirectly drawn from a main reservoir, combined in a novel. manner withimproved atomizing and carbureting apparatus, the complete structurebeing so designed as to be adapted to advantageously com rise animportant feature of a'fuel-control system and especially aVenturi-vacuum fuel control system; and, the invention consists alsofurther in certain novel parts, and in the combinations and arrangementsof parts or features, as hereinafter particularly described and furtherset forthin the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings,-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the newfuel-control system conveniently but not arbitrarily arranged inconnection with an automobile which is indicated fragmentarily by brokenlines. illustrating a practical application of the invention; Fig. 2 isa vertical central section of the principal structure involved in theinvention, on an enlarged scale, parts of which are arranged relativelyto other parts conveniently rather than arbitrarily; Fig. 3 is a topplan of the essential portions of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectionapproximately on the line IV-IV in Fig. 2; Fig. 5

is asection approximately on the line VV in Fig. 2, looking upward; Fig.6 is a frag mentary vertical central section showing details ofcontrolling apparatus which may be used in the system, being .an exampleof the application of one form of controlling valve which may bevariously modified? Fig. 7 is a section approximately on the lineVII-VII in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a front View of the controlling valve andits chest, the valve being in a different position from that in Figs. 6and 7. and partially in sec-. tion; Fig. 9 is a section approximately oncomprises a mixing tube 5 which is secured -'to the intalre manifold orpipe 3 in such Ell 'lfl has an inlet aperture l5 therein. 1-

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manner as may be desired. preferably in vertical position, and itrotatively supports a shaft 6 that extends through the tube and has athrottle valve 7 of the butterfly type secured thereto within the tube,and a controlling arm or lever 8 is secured to the shaft at the outerside. of the tube. A vacuum chamber is connected with the mining tubeand comprises hollow cylindrcial portion 9 that extends from the tubeand is preferably less in diameter than the tube internally so that theupper end thereof forms a stop shoulder 10, opposite to which a suitabledistance therefrom a stop or steps ll, 11', are secured in the wall orthe mixing); tube in the region of the vacuum chamber. The vacuumchamber includes a feed-chamber combined therewith which comprises awall l2, a top l3 and a bottom ll, the top being; annular and extendingabout the cylindrical portion ll and being fixed thereto. The .r 1cbottom it also is annular and acylindrical wall portion ill extendsthrough it and is lined thereto and so as to constitute an annularpartitional wall 1'? in the teed chamber which is designed to hold liuid tool, as a portion oil? a teed-reservoir, t is wallterminatingsuitable distance from the lower end oi the wall portion ,9.it shitting lenturi tube l8 ot novel form is provided which isexternally cylindrical and arranged to mutubly operate in the vacuumchamber, being guided by the wall portions 9 and to and the wallextension W. The Venturi tube constitutes a port-shitting ventnri andhas a collar portion or head 19 that rests upon 7 the shoulder it) tolimit the downward more meat oil thotube. The lower portion ot" the t'cnturi tube has a tapered inner wall taco Ed, the outer end of which isthe larger and preferably terminating in a concave countcrbore 21enteudingr 'lrorn the lower end of the tube, theuppcr portionot" thetube having" a tapered or inclined inner wall face Q2, so that theinterior of the upper portion is tunnel-like in shape in which a flow 0ttluid is expanded in its passage to the ruining lower end of the Witmaniac tube. The wall of the Venturi tube has a horizontal feed port orpreferably several ports 23 arranged so that the outer end of the portshall be slightly higher, or a portion of the port higher, than the topof the wall 17 to conduct the liquid'fuel to the interior of the Venturitube, so that the tube may be instrumental in atomiziug the fuel. Thewall of the Venturi tubehas also another feed port or several ports 24at. a relatively lower-level therein and closed by the wall 17 when thetube is, set at its lowest level. All the ports extend from theperiphery to the tapered inner face of the wall of the Venturi tube.Preferably the lower ports are larger diametrically than the upper portsor are frcater in number. The

1 portion 16 has a spider ring 25 suitably secured thereto, preferablyby means of screw threads so as to be adjusted" and also removable, andit has arms 26 supporting a hub 27 to which a stem 28 is secured, thestem having a shanlr portion .29 extending through the hub and having athreaded nut 30 thereon engaging the under side of the hub. the steinhas an atomizer head 31 on its top thut has a tapered exterior 32, sothat the head is trustuin shaped, the lower portion ot the head beinggreater in diameter than the stem and curved or beveled so as to deflectair outward in the counter-bore 2t into which thelower portion oi" thehead extends, the head being partially in the tapered portion 20. thetopof the head preferably being on the level of the axis of the portQi. Thehead and the stem are hollow so as to constitute portions of auuun-conduit which preferably has an on tension 33 projecting; from thetop of the atomizer head, and the extension preferably is an integralportion of atubc 34 inserted tightly in the head and the stem 28 andc1:- tending; beyond the shank portion 29 so as to constitute a nipple35 to which a conduit extension 36 is connected.

The fuel-control system has a novel vacuum chan'iber and tccd-rcscrvoircomprising: a bottom 37 and awull '38 thereon, the wall being suitablysecured or fixed to the wall 19; aud'havingau outlet aperture 39 thereinconnected with the aperture 15, so that the chamber cxtcndilng to thewall 17 con stitutcs an extension of the reservoir chamber. The middleportion of the bottom 37 has a. guide rod all) fixed thereon. and asuitable float 41 is arranged in the reservoir and has a central n'uidesleeve 42 receiving! the rod -l0. the float being adapted to freelylloat in the liquid fuel received into the reservoir. The feed-reservoirhas a head or cover thereon which preferably consists of a removablehead 43 having a fulcrum arni it on its under side that supports apivotv h") to which a controlling lever 4-6 is connected that extends tothe top of the float.

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valve seat 51 and it has a stem 54 movably arranged in a hollow guide 55comprising a portion of a spider 56 secured inthe counterbor', the valvestem being located so as to be controlled by the lever 46 to close theduct when the reservoir contains the desired quantity of fuel. The upperportion of the.

vacuum. chamber in the feed-reservoir is provided with a v'acuum dome 57that Ispreferably adetachable part of the head 43 the motor vehicle.

and covers an opening 58 in the head; 'The top of the dome has a duct.59therein and preferably the under side of saidtop has a projection 60through whiclithe-duct .extends, the outer portion of said top having'aneck 61, the duct extending through the .neck, and a suction conduit62 is connected,

to the neck. Preferably the vacuum dome has a baffle comprising abase 63anda hollow cone 64 therein to prevents lashingof the liquid fuel intothe-duct 59', tiebasebeing arranged on the head" 43 so that the baffleshall cover the opening 58. The base of the baffle has an air-duct 65therein which preferably is located nearly to "the middle of thereservoir head, so as to be away from the wall of the reservoir againstwhich the liquid fuel may surge during "operation of the dome above thebaflie toprevent the formation of a narrow [or rapid stream throughthe.'dome, and thespace is divided preferably bynieans of a tube 6.6interposed between thetop of the dome and the'bafiie cone andhaving-asuitable number. of apertures 67. therein, practicallyconstituting a screen to prevent atoms of liquid from entering'the duct59.- The conduit 62 is shitably connected withthe mixin'gtube 5, and

- it is designed that the conduit 36 may be connected with the conduit62 according to the requirements of operation of the engines. Insomecases it maybe designed that suction may automatically occur throughthe conduit. 36 and the and conduit 62 only at lowspeed of the engine,but preferably the mutable action I in the conduit 36 is-governed by a.controlling valve operating automatically on operation of the primarycontroller and the throttle valve.

As an illustration of suitable :valve con-- trolling means, which may besimilar to that -p 1 Patent N0; "1,374,983, for controlling the action.dile to described in said Letters Ample space is left inconduit 62 athigh speed of "the engine, and throughthe mixing tube v or drawn in bymeans oft suction through the conduit 36 following the action dueto-suction primarily occurring directly through the mixing tube and theconduit 62, a valve chest is provided on the-mixing tube and comprises abodyvwall 68 fixed to the mixing tube and a cover 69 removably securedto the wall, the chesthaving a plane valve seat 70 therein and a port 71extending from the face of the seat tothe interior of the mixing tube.The inner side of the cover; 61 has a projection 7 2 thereon andarranged at a suitable distance away from the port 71, and the conduit36 is connected to the cover so as to have .com-

munication with a port 36' 1 that extends through' the projection, :theend of the proopposite to the seat 70 at a suitable distance therefrom.The conduit '62 is connected also with the cover 69 so as to havecommunication with a duct 62 which extends through the cover,tl1e-duct'.being constantly open, so that in. some cases there may becommunication through the interior v of the valve chest between the.conduits 36 and 62, in such cases the valve chest being merelyaconvenient connection between the conduits. the port 71 bein constantlyopen.

Butpreferably a plate .va ve 73 is provided which is connectedto apivot. 74 secured to the valve seat 7(),the valvebeing adapted tooperate on the seat to close the port 7-1 or to open the port and tocover-the port.

36. The valve preferably has a projection 7 5 engaged by aspring-projecte plunger 76 to accelerate the movement of the valve afterhaving'been started in either direction.

The back of the valve has a laterally exjection having a valve seat facepresentedtending slot'77 whereby to move the valve,

and. acrank disk 78 is rotatively arranged in a recess 7 9 extendingfrom the valvelseat 70, thedisk being turned by means of a kev 80 on theend of the ,throttle valve shaft. 6and extending into a slot in the".back of the disk, the front of the disk 'having a crank pin 81 thereonthat operates in the slot 77. Preferably a spring 82 is in-, terposedbetween the cover 69 andth valve 73 to hold the valve to its seat. Itwill be seen that the valve 73 is controlled by the throttle lever 8.-

, When the fuel has become exhausted and it becomes difiicult to startan ex lesion engine, a supply may be obtaineo from the reservoir 4 bymeans of a suitable suction pump connected with the system so as tocreate vacuumm the feed-reservoir, nd such pump may comprise a cylinder.8.3 connected with the conduit 62-and having a suitable operating rod 84provided with a handle.

85', the 1 cylinder. having an air-outlet 86.

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Inpractical use, there being a'propcr suply' of liquidfuel in .thefeed-reservoir,

whether left over from a previous operation ehand pump vac-.

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uuin from the main reservoir, the engine is started in the usual manner,the throttle valve 76 properly adjusted to admit sullicient fuel to theen ine for slow speed. the valve 73 if present being set to close theconduit come atomized therein as a result of atoms pheric air beingdrawn by auction past the atomizer head 21 and into and through theVenturi. tube, the resultant carburet'cd air becoming mixed in passingthrough the mixing; tube are the engine. As the air enters the lower endof the vacuum chamber some at the air is detlected by the lower portionof the atoniirer head, and the air is gathered into the tapered portioninto the form at a thin annular current and directed inward to therelatively thin extension 33 of the atoiniuer head, and therebypartially spread out towards the Wall of the flaring upper ll ll ier lin the teed-reservoir i .nun calla the l'loat ris a and tool andcontrols the inn the engine rcquirea an in l"; tool, the throttle valvej a to admit the tool to the aultouia l, k t e l .2 tube to be drawnupwa ue'l, liret throi i the nor which become lolly opened, alteru'ardspoi ill also when it he carried lv ermit tool to enter it from ali ll.ll hen the shitting v drawn up atrai at th is lullv opened to tool, theport. Ell-l beluga s f the end at the cylinder or o 'oniee a suctionduct to automaticall v incre ae vacuum. for liltinggf the tool, andpermitting gaseous vapor that may rise from the feed chainloer to passthrough the port 23 and become mixed with the product in tho Venturitube. [lo the throttle valve l is further opened the valve l3 is movedlroin the port; i-ltl" and over to the port ll to close directcommunication with the mining tube. pcrniittii rig auction in the 'lcnturi to admittr e till portion olthe l' enturi tube,-and tending toreeaeaa tube to cause suction through the conduit 36 and the valve chestand through the conduit 62 desired to produce a greater do grce ofvacuum in the feed-reservoir to. insure increased supply of fuel as maybe needed by the en ine erforming increased duty. After the 51130? evalve has been adjusted to reduce the sup ly' of fuel the suction belowthe throttle va ve is decreased and permits the Venturi tube to againdescend, 7 the conduit 36 becoming closed by the cons quentshifting ofthe valve 73 so that the engine may be supplied as before withsuflicient fuel for slow speed.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

l. flu explosion engine fuel control system including a .tuehteedreservoir having a lateral feed chamber, a fuel-inlet for the reservoir,means in the reservoir to automatically control the fuel-inlet, ashifting Venturi tube having a port to conduct fuel jtroni theteed-chamber and into the tube, an

atoinining device in the Venturi tube, a mixing tube, a section conduithaving connection with the reservoir, an alternating vacuuni conduitextending from the interior at the lenturi tube, and one -lerating meanstor controlling; the shifting l enturi tube and for alternativelyconnecting the suction oonduit with the mining tube and the vacuum tillconduit with. the auction conduit.

ll. ll. tact-control system including luelteed. r aervoir havinr; alateral. lite l-chamber connectod therewith, the upper portion therceorvoir being" a chamber tor vacuum, a vacuum chainh connected withthe upper portion ot the il tlutl fillfllllbtll", a mining; l beconnected with the vacuum chamber, it oh inc" l enturi tuhe verticallymovable in the vacuum chamber and the :leedchamber ports on lhltllll'.levcla to contra age oi. liquid and gaseous :tuel one i from theteed-chamber and th to. tori tube and the uiiui u including; a auctionconduit; contributir create a measure vactunn in th rcaervoir, thevacuum being inc er the lead-chamber and the no M, t :urtoniaticallvcoi'itrolled rcnoercd elloctive enturi tub and the nai uri tub A "a.reatirel v g groatcr u out vacuiu through he auction conduit in thetool-teed reoervoir.

, eztploeion engine tool-control syutcin includhagz, a tool-teedreservoir having a lateral teed-chamber, a vacuuurchambor counected withthe teed-chamber, a' shifting: Venturi tube operating vertically in thefeed chamber and the vacuumchamber and havinn: ports on dill'crcntlevels; therein to aucves-zsivcl v conduct fuel and vapor from thelccdarharnher and into the tube, the ports contrioutino; to increasevacuum in the reaerltlll lllll l. fltl till voir above the fuel,anatomizer head in the Venturi tube and bodily supported by means of thefeed-chamber wall below the tube, a

suction conduit connected with the fuel-feed reservoir, and aVenturi-vacuum conduit extending from the inside of the Venturi tube andthrough the atomizer head and having means for a connection with thesuction conduit.

1o 4. An'explosion engine fuel-control system into the mixing tube,

ing a porttherein to conduct fuel from the.

including a fuel-feed reservoir having a lateral feed-chamber, a mixingtube, a suction conduit connected with the reservoir, a port shiftingVenturi tube operating vertically in the feed-chamber and dischargingthe Venturi tube havfeedhamber and into the tube and having also arelatively higher port to conduct air from the upper portion of thereservoir through the upper portion of the feed-chamher and into theVenturi tube for creating vacuum in the reservoir upon ascent of theVenturi tube, a fuel-inlet valve for the reservoir, a buoant device in.the reservoir to .control the uel-mlet valve,

an atomizer head arranged in the Venturi tube and bodily supportedstationarily by means of the feed- .chamber wall below the tube, andmeans to constitute a connection of the suction conduit with the mixingtube.- v

5. An explosion engine fuel-control system including a fuel-feedreservoir having a lateral feed-chamber,'a mixing tube, a port shiftinVenturi tube operating vertically .in the eed-chamber and discharginginto the head, means to constitute a connection of.

the suction conduit with the mi'xingtube, and means for functionallyconnecting the Venturi-vacuum conduit with the suction conduit.

6. -An explosion engine fuel-control system including a fuel-feedreservoir having a lateral feed-chamber, a vacuum chamber connected withthe feed-chamber, a fuel-inlet valve in the upper portion of thereservoir, a float in the reseitvoir to control the valve, a freelymovable Venturi tube in the vacuum chamber and guided in and extendingthrough the feed-chamber, the Venturi tube having a port therein toconduct fuel from the feed-chamber and" into the tube,

an atomizer head supported to be stationary in the Venturi tube, asuction conduit connected with the u per ortion of the fuelfeedreservoir, an a V enturi-vacuum conduit extending from the inside oftheVenturi tube and'through the atomizer head and having means forautomatic connection with the suction conduit. 7. An explosion enginefuel-controlsystem including a fuel-feed reservoir having a lateralfeed-chamber, a fuel-inlet for the reservoir, -means in the reservoir toautomatically control the fuel-inlet, a shifting Venturi tube in thefeed-chamber and having a port to conduct fuel from the feed chamber andinto the tube, an atomizing device in the Venturi tube, a mixing tubehaving a suction port connected therewith,

a suction conduit having connection with the upper portion of thefuel-feed reservoir, zrVent'uri vacuum conduit extendin from theinterior of the Venturi tube, an means for controlling the functioningof the suction port and the Venturi vacuum conduit and to connect one"or the other with the suction conduit:

8. An explosion. en ine fuel-control systern havinga fuel-fee reservoir,a mixing tubeya throttle valve in the mix-in tube,- a shifting Venturitube automatica ly controlled by suction through" the mixing tube andhaving separate ports arranged to suecessively conduct fuel from thereservoir.

and into the tube upon ascent of the tube, an atomizing device in theVenturi tube, a valve chest having a port extending therefrom and intothe mixing tube, a suction conduit connected with the valve chest andthe upper "portion of the fuel-feed reservoir, a

Venturi-vacuum conduit extending from the interior of the Venturi tubeto the valve chest, and a valve means in the chestcontrolled by thethrottle valve to alternately glose the port and the Venturi-vacuumconuit.

9. In a fuel-controlsystem, the combina- I tion with a fuel-feedchambeigand atomizing apparatus connected with the chamber, of ashifting fuel-feeding Venturi tube in said chamber, a feed-reservoirconnected with said chamber and having a head-provided with a capaciousvacuumdome having free communication with the; feed-reservoir, the domehaving a deflecting baflle therein, a suction conduit connected with thedome above,said baflle, and means in the feed-reservoir se arate fromthe dome to control admission 0 fuel into the feed-reservoir.

10. In an explosion en ine fuel-control system, thecom ination oafuel-feed reservoir with a fuel-inlet in its top, a vacuum dome on theto of the reservoir separate from the -'fue1-inl et, a mixingtube, asuction conduit connected with the vacuum dome, a feed-chamber on" oneside of the, reservoir in connection therewith, a. Venturi tubevertically movable in the feed-chamber to dis-' charge into the mixingtube andhaving ports to conduct fuel and air from the teedcliuinbei' endinto the tube, on air-feeding atomizer llezul stotionuiily arranged inthe 'l entuii "tube to cooperate therewith and having support below thetube, e Venturivacuum concluit having; an open encl inthe Vcnturi tubeabove the atomizer head, and valve means to connect the suction conduitwith the mining tube or the Jenturi-vecuuin conduit.

11. lfn on explosion izngine tuelcontroi system, the combination of itTftlfii-ilt5til reservoir having a 'feectcliumbei', e fuel-inlet tor thei'eseivoii' means in the reservoir to autoport-shitting ventui'i toconduct liquid fuel end on from the feetl-chenibei and into the venturi,eii teeilingg untl etolnising means in the venturi, e mixing tulle, uthrottle valve to regulate suction through the mixing tube and theventuri, e valve chest with a suction port connectecl with the mixingtube above the throttle valve, u suction conduit connected With thereservoir and also with the valve chest, at feuturi-vucuum conduitsubjected to influence of the Venturi action and connected with thevalve chest, and means in the valve chest automatically controlled withthe throttle valve to connect the Venturivecuuin conduitwith the suctionconduit.

In testimony whereof, l utlix my signature on the 13th clay of October,1922.

llllllt'ltlll o. BRIGHT.

